HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/1990URBAN AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
SEPTEMBER 25, 1990
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. in the City of Apple
Valley Council Chambers.
Members Present: Chairman John McKay, Members Jeannine Churchill,
Shirley Doering, Pamela Sohlberg, Sharon Schwartz,
and Councilperson Barb Savanick.
Members Absent: JoAnne Ellison.
Staff Present: Deb Asselanis, Scott Hickok, and Meg McMonigal.
Others Present: None.
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA OF SEPTEMBER 25, 1990
The agenda was approved as written.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 7, 1990
MOTION: A motion was made by Member Jeannine Churchill, seconded by
Member Pamela Sohlberg, to approve the minutes as written. The motion
carried with Shirley Doering abstaining.
4. UPDATES
A. Recycling -Deb Asselanis
Chairman John McKay updated the Urban Affairs Committee on recyclable
products and products made from recycled materials. Green Forest toilet
paper is an example of a recycled product. This toilet paper has been
recycled from other paper fibers. A point was made that this recycled
product is comparable to regular toilet paper in price.
McKay also asked about the recycling bag distributed by Knutson for
batteries. He stated that he put his batteries in the bag, attached. the
bag to his recycling receptacle, and the bag was never picked up.
A final point that John McKay made regarding recycling is that garage-
side pickup means that the containers should be brought back up to the side
of the house once they have been dumped. He felt that the haulers should
be made aware of this. Administrative Intern Deb Asselanis stated that a
letter did go out to all haulers once again reminding them that we have
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
September 25, 1990
Page 2
garage-side pickup in Apple Valley and that means that the containers have
to be brought back up to the house.
Deb Asselanis gave a presentation of the current status of recycling
in Apple Valley. She pointed out that in 1990 we have collected 800 tons
of curb-side recycling. In 1990 our goal is 12 percent of the residential
waste stream. Asselanis went on to explain that presently the City has
recycled 1,225 tons of waste. The goal for 1990 is 1,952 tons. She ex-
pressed confidence that we will meet the goal in 1990. Asselanis painted
out that the plastic recycling has not been mandated by the County and
there is no economic incentive for haulers to pick up plastic. She did
explain that Goodwill accepts plastic and cited that as a good place to
drop it off. John McKay added if we could get this information to the
schools, it would be valuable.
Sharon Schwartz asked how we are measuring yard waste. Asselanis
responded that this is being measured at the composting sites.
Chairman McKay asked how good the haulers have been about providing
the information that we asked for. Asselanis responded that they have been
very good. Apparently, their accounting systems are now in place and the
reporting has improved greatly.
Chairman McKay stated that he has heard about significant increases in
percentages of households recycling. Asselanis responded that it would be
news to her that the percentages are increasing. The trend is increasing,
but the collection has been sporadic. One group will collect a large
amount, while another group will have a very small amount during that
period, and the following week may be reversed.
Councilmember Savanick asked what percentage of material is being
placed in the containers. Asselanis said it reaily goes back to how often
the resident puts their recycling out. Some statistics are next to
meaningless, because they show that 50 percent of households are recycling.
Asselanis expanded on the statement by saying that a person may put out
their recycling every other week or they may save it up until they have
enough. There is no accurate way to measure how many people are recycling
because it does not occur every week at every household.
Sharon Schwartz asked how the market is for newspaper presently.
Asselanis explained that there is a plant in Montana, a large plant
proposed in Canada and locally, we have a paper recycling facility-
Waldorf Corporation.
Chairman McKay asked if the 1•Zrban Affairs Advisory Committee has the
authority to recommend legislation that would require that newspapers be
printed on recycled paper. McKay expanded by explaining that there is an
over abundance of newspaper and he feels that it would be an important
piece of legislation. It would require that paper is to be printed in this
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
September 25, 1990
Page 3
manner. There was no recommendation at this point, but Chairman McKay
asked the Committee to think about a recommendation that they could make to
the City Council which will be forwarded to the State Legislators.
Jeannine Churchill added that if we are to forward a recommendation,
we should recommend a limit on glossy print that can be placed in our
publications.
Shirley Doering stated that there is a great deal of glossy material
and junk mail with her business as a travel agent.
Councilmember Savanick asked if we are looking at recycling cardboard.
Asselanis responded that Waldorf has the capability of recycling breakfast
food boxes, etc., but they do not promote it because of the liners found in
the boxes. These liners must be removed prior to the recycling and that
becomes very tedious.
Savanick asked if we can put pastel paper in with our newspaper to be
recycled. Asselanis responded that it is appropriate.
Associate Planner McMonigal stated that the Pollution Control Agency
in Minnesota reuses paper prior to discarding it. They bind this paper
into pads and use the blank side of the paper. Then the paper can be
recycled.
Sharon Schwartz asked about programs for recycling in the fast food
areas. Deb Asselanis responded that Eagan McDonald's is participating in
the national program for recycling Styrofoam, etc. This is done by
separating out those items from the regular trash at that restaurant. She
went on to explain that grocery stores have purchased cardboard bailers to
begin their recycling process.
John McKay stated that he feels that the fast food operators should be
required to come to a public hearing, or should be invited to a public
hearing that would allow staff, Urban Affairs Advisory Committee, and the
public to ask these retailers questions about what they plan to do for
recycling, what they are doing for recycling, etc. McKay states that the
press should be invited to these hearings as well. McKay also asked about
the hazardous materials collection days. He felt we should have those more
often. John McKay asked what you can do with batteries other than going to
the hazardous materials collection days.
Asselanis explained that there are programs for recycling "button"
batteries. These button batteries are found in hearing aids, radios,
watches, etc. That type of battery has the greatest amount of lead and
therefore, has been the battery that has had the most attention in terms of
recycling. She also added that a hazardous waste recycling day costs the
community between $6,000.00 and $7,000.00 to run. It is very expensive,
yet very effective. She went on to explain the money end of recycling,
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
September 25, 1990
Page 4
explaining that we did purchase 3,000 more curb-side bins, one cardboard
compactor, and 100 compost bins at $49.95 per bin.
Chairman McKay asked how the 100 bins the City has purchased are being
distributed. Asselanis explained that the 4-H Appleseed Group is dis-
tributing the bins within Apple Valley and along with the bins they are
distributing a survey to be filled out by the recipients of bins. The
survey will help us analyze the effectiveness, the success or lack of
success in the composting program with these containers. Asselanis then
explained that we are looking to extend the recycling program into the
multi-family area. Currently, we do not have a multi-family recycling
program, but we are looking at options including a recycling center for
each of the multi-family projects. This recycling center would be a
central location where we would provide possibly an enclosure for the
materials to be recycled. More research is being done as to the cost of
enclosures and the feasibility.
Sharon Schwartz asked about recycling phone books. What can be done?
Asselanis responded that the City of Fridley is looking at proposing
legislation to the State, which would require that U.S. West fund a
recycling program for their phone books. In Apple Valley, we do not have a
phone book recycling program. It is possible that a person can tear out
the pages of their phone book and place those pages in the same recycling
bin as newspapers, because it is the same quality and type of paper as
newsprint.
Shirley Doering stated that she has three or four directories other
than the large Minneapolis/St. Paul directories which are local and these
pose the same problem.
Jeannine Churchill asked if we could expand our proposal for
legislation to include a ban on aerosol products within the community.
B. Urban Surface Water Quality Education Peograms -Meg McMonigal
Meg McMonigal presented information on the Urban Surface Water Quality
education program initiated earlier this year. She stated that there is a
good indication that people are beginning to consider the water quality
issues and the feedback has been very positive. We recently notified the
residences that border Lac Lavon and provided information about water
quality. McMonigal distributed a letter from a resident which indicated a
positive response to the information that had been handed out. She also
went on to explain that the Lake Alimagnet Water Quality Study is underway
with the City of Burnsville and the City of Apple Valley, both partners in
the study. This is a diagnostic feasibility study in conjunction with the
Pollution Control Agency. McMonigal spoke to a consultant regarding the
study and was informed that Lake Alimagnet does not have any Eurasion
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
September 25, 1990
Page 5
Milfoil. She also introduced an article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune
that talked generally about water. This article was circulated to the
Urban Affairs Committee Members and discussed.
Pam Sohlberg stated that her water is brown and wondered if this was
something that should be checked out. She was told that she should report
it to the water department when it happens. McMonigal continued by saying
that the City is installing sump catch basins near all of the major lakes
in the community. The purpose of these catch basins is to filter the water
prior to dumping that water into lakes or streams. McMonigal made a
recommendation that we develop policies in our comprehensive plan and we
continue to make sure that water quality educational materials are
available for the public. We can incorporate our city comprehensive
policies into the educational program as these policies develop. She
offered to bring them to the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee for review.
Sharon Schwartz asked about commercial fertilizing companies and
whether or not they had been asked to limit their phosphorous applications
in Apple Valley. McMonigal stated that she had spoken to some of the
fertilizer companies. The committee suggested that we strengthen the
recommendations by writing a letter to fertilizer applicators that work in
Apple Valley.
Chairman McKay stated that the Fluegel Elevator in Rosemount does
carry a non-phosphorous fertilizer and it is used as fairway fertilizer for
golf courses. McKay stated that he was a bit surprised by the resistance
of the salesperson at the store to sell the non-phosphorous fertilizer.
This salesperson was surprised that John would know about it and ask for it
specifically.
Chairman McKay stated that he would like to have staff write to the
retail concerns - Chemlawn, Barefoot Grass, etc. - and ask them to respond
with breakdowns of what they apply on residential lawns. McMonigal stated
that the City of Roseville has an ordinance requiring the licensing of
fertilizer applicators. The program seems to take a lot of administration
without any measurement of effectiveness.
C. Energy Grant Program -Scott Hickok
Associate Planner Scott Hickok distributed the multi-page grant
application to members of the Urban Affairs Advisory Committee and briefly
explained the three energy audits being offered through the two year energy
conservation program. These audits are:
1) Home Enerev Check (HEC) - Offered at no cost to those who meet
the income guidelines. The cost is $10.00 for any resident
interested, that does not meet the income guidelines.
Urban Affairs Advisory Committee Minutes
September 25, 1990
Page 6
2) Blower Door Test - A sophisticated analysis of home energy loss
and consumption. Tests are free, but targeted to individuals
with older homes. Majority of tests will be offered to those who
meet the specified income guidelines.
3) Enerev Landscape Audit - Audit available (comes as a bonus) to
any resident of Apple Valley who participates in the energy
program. Resident may opt to have an internal home audit (#1 or
#2) and our forester will evaluate whether or not additional
plantings could be used to increase energy savings. This land-
scape audit is available without participating in the internal
audits (#1 and #2). Some residents may have had a recent audit
inside their home, but could use planting advice.
D. Parking -Scott Hickok
Scott Hickok briefly explained the parking enforcement procedures
within the City. Hickok illustrated the City-wide inspection process
through the use of overhead projections.
Shirley Doering commented there are still existing situations that she
is aware of and she has spoken to residents who are upset about the
requirements parking motor vehicles on paved surfaces only.
Hickok responded that he would like to have 10096 compliance, but
realizes there may have been situations that were missed in the original
inspection process. (This may be due to the time of day for inspections,
etc.) Hickok continued by saying the remaining cases will be much easier
to deal with now that the majority of the residents have corrected the
violations and are aware of the ordinances that exist.
E. Weeds -Scott Hickok
A brief overview was given.
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS
- None -
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
kg